Shoe finishing apparatus



Dec. 4, 1962 T. N. SKELTON 3,066,331

SHOE FINISHING APPARATUS Filed April 1'7, 1961 2 Sh eets-Sheet 1 I? q; j INVENTOR.

' 750M115 IV. SKIGLTON Dec. 4, 1962 T. N. SKELTON SHOE FINISHING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 17, 1961 INVENTOR. TWOMAJ N. SKELTON 1; hrroerisr Unite States Patent Ofhce 3,656,331 Patented Dec. 4, 19fi2 3,666,331 SHOE FINISHING APPARATUS Thomas N. Shelton, Atlanta, Ga, assignor to The Auto- Sol-er Company, a corporation of Georgia Filed Apr. 17, 1961, Ser. No. 103,443 Claims. (ill. 121) :"This invention relates generally to shoe finishing apparatus and in particular to apparatus of this sort incorporating rotary trimming and finishing elements arranged to exceptional advantage for use in shoe repairing operations.

Such frequently required shoe repairing operations as the replacement of top lifts on the heels of ladies shoes, the installation of new toe tips on ladies shoes, and the replacement of mens heels, involve finishing steps that are accomplished with most facility by employing rotary trimming and sanding and burnislring and polishing elements of various sorts. However, the variety of such elements that is required for the several different shoe repairing operations of this type has heretofore unduly extended the necessary finishing apparatus in size beyond the space that might reasonably be allotted to it in the average shoe repair shop, and such size has also made this type of equipment more expensive than could often be justified by shoe repair shop operators.

According to the present invention, a uniquely compact shoe finishing apparatus is provided for which sufficient space is easily arranged, and in which the various sorts of rotary finishing elements required for different shoe repairing operations, as previously noted, are incorporated for selective use with great convenience and eiliciency. In the latter connection, a complicating factor in equipment heretofore available has been the necessary requirement for operating the various sorts of rotary finishing elements at difierent speeds to perform effectively the different finishing actions for which these elements are selectively adapted; whereas the apparatus of the present invention is arranged to drive the several finishing elements at the respectively differing speeds they require, while still maintaining a unique compactness and an unusually convenient arrangement of the elements for use.

These and other features of the present invention are described in further detail below in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation, partly broken away and sectioned, of a representative shoe finishing apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substan' tially at the line 2-2 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail of the trimming cutter assembly seen in FIG. 1.

The representative embodiment illustrated in the drawings comprises ajframe structure, as indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, that is suitably arranged for supporting, and for housing where necessary or desirable, the various operating elements.

A drive motor 12 is mounted in a lower housing portion of the frame structure 10 for control from a switch at 14 to start and stop the apparatus, and the several rotary trimming and finishing elements are arranged in an upper hood portion of the frame structure 10 on upper and lower drive shafts 16 and 18 that are journaled horizontally in parallel spaced relation at respective bearings 20 and 22 with locating collars 24 and 26 fixation the shafts 16 and 18 adjacent the bearings 20 and '22.

"The upper drive shaft 1-6 carries trimming cutter elements 218 and 30 adjacent one end, as seen to the left in FIG. 1, and the arrangement of these cutter elements 28 and 30 is further illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the upper shaft 16 is shown to have an end portion 32 of reduced diameter extending from a shoulder 34 at which a hub flange portion 28' of the first cutter element 28 is disposed in abutting relation. Adjacent the other side of this first cutter element 28 a rotary cutter guard 36 is disposed in abutting relation, and is backed up in turn by the abutting adjacent end of a sleeve member 38 that extends to have a hub flange 30 of the second cutter element 30 abutted at its other end, with a nut member 40 engaged at a threaded terminal extent 32 of the shaft end portion 32 and tightened thereon to lock or clamp the second cutter element 36, sleeve member 38, rotary cutter guard 36, and first cutter element 28, all against the shaft shoulder 34 to rotate with the shaft 16; the threaded extent 32 of the shaft end portion 32 being threaded in the direction opposite to that in which the shaft 16 rotates so that the nut member 46 is maintained tight during use of the cutter elements 23 and 30.

As a counterpart of the rotary cutter guard 36 provided at the first cutter element 2 8, a stationary cutter guard 42 is removably supported at a disposition clearing the nut member 46 concentrically and guarding the adjacent side edge of the second cutter element 30. This stationary cutter guard 42 is removably supported at such a disposition on a shank 44 that is received by a sleeve bracket 46 mounted on the frame structure 10 and fitted with a thumb screw means 46 for fixing the shank 44 in place.

Additionally, each of the first and second cutter elements 28 and 30 have edge set elements 48 and 50 arranged in relation thereto. The first edge set element 48 is fixed on the main body portion of the shaft 16 by a set screw 48' so as to be longitudinally adjustable, and is disposed to project beyond the shaft shoulder 34 with a circular clearance recess 52 formed in its projecting portion so that it may be arranged in shrouding relation at the first cutter element 23 for adjustably determining the exposed cutting width thereof. The second edge set element 50 is similarly disposed in relation to the second cutter element 30, being arranged over the sleeve member 38 which is formed with an elongated slot 38 allowing a set screw at 50 to fix the edge set element 50 on the shaft end portion 32 at a longitudinally adjusted position, and having a circular clearance recess 54 formed therein so that this edge set element may be adjusted in shrouding relation with respect to the second cutter element 30.

The cutter elements 28 and 30 and the edge set elements 48 and 50 correspond generally to conventional elements of this sort that have previously been in common use, although not in any such advantageous arrangement as the present invention provides. The second cutter element 30 is arranged in the apparatus of the present invention for use in trimming new top lifts to a flush contour with the heel of a ladys shoe in the manner indicated by the dotted line illustration in FIG. 1; the cutter guard 42 being made stationary in this instance to avoid any scarring of the heel shank as the trimming is done; and the adjacent edge set element 50 being subsequently employed to iron the trimmed top lift edge with coloring wax to finish it properly. The first cutter element 28 and related edge set element 48 are similarly used for trimming and finished toe tips on ladies shoes as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The lower drive shaft 18 is arranged to carry relatively coarse finishing elements, such as a breaster 56 and sanding wheels 58 and 60, grouped toward one end (i.e., to the left as seen in FIG. 1), while having final finishing elements, such as first and second brush Wheels 62 and 64 having burnishers 66 and 68 paired therewith, grouped toward the other end; and is further specially arranged so that these respective groups of finishing elements are operated simultaneously at different speeds required for providing effectively the respective finishing actions they perform.

For this latter purpose, the lower shaft. 18 is formed compositely of an axial component 70 that carries the group of coarse finishing elements adjacent one end (i.e., the left end as seen in FIG. 1), and that extends adjacent this end in a first diameter to an intermediate shoulder 72 at which it is reduced in diameter for. the remainder of its lengthwise extent toward the other end; and of a concentric sleeve component 74 carrying the final finishing element group that has an exterior diameter equal to the first diameter of the axial component 70 and that is disposed for relative rotation on the reduced diameter extent thereof contiguously at the intermediate shoulder 72.

The finishing elements carried by this composite shaft 18 are employed primarily for finishing new heels on mens shoes, the breaster 56 and sanding wheels 58 and 60 being used for shaping the new heel to the particular contour required and requiring a relatively high operating speed, while the brush wheels 62 and 64 and the paired burnishers 66 and 68 are used for final bufling and polishing and operate to better advantage at a considerably lower speed. Simultaneous differential speed operation of these respective groups of finishing elements is provided for through separate driving connections" at 76 and 78 from the motor 12 to the axial component 70 and the concentric sleeve component 74 that are arranged at suitable pulley ratios to give the respective operating speeds that are required. The driving connection 78 for the concentric sleeve component 74 may also be conveniently extended (compare FIGS. 1 and 2) to drive the upper shaft 16 as well, which should be geared for an even higher operating speed.

As the trimming cutter elements 28 and 30, and the group of coarse finishing elements too, generate a particle fall-out during their operation, the apparatus of the present invention is arranged with a suction system to impose a particle collection draft adjacent these elements; the frame structure being formed with inclined panels 80 and 82 (see FIG. 2) that slope downwardly to a suction slot beneath the trimming elements 28 and 30, and a baffle 84 being arranged to compartment the resulting suction space for action additionally in relation to the breaster 56, while a suction hood 86 is arranged about the sanding wheels 58 and 60. Suction duct work, as indicated at 88 in FIG.- 1, is then arranged in the lower housing portion of the frame structure 10 and is fitted with a blower unit 90 that is connected as seen at 92 for operation from the drive motor 12 to create a constant particle collection draft during the operation of the apparatus, and. to discharge the particle fall-out into a collection bag at 94.

The compactness data is made possible in the apparatus of the present invention by the composite lower drive shaft 18 is additionally served by the manner in which the group of final finishing elements are arranged on the concentric sleeve component 74. As seen in FIG.

1, this arrangement comprises a disposition of the first and second brush wheels 62 and 64 on the sleeve component 74 in longitudinally spaced relation, with the paired burnishers 66 and 68 mounted inside by side relation at respectively adjacent sides of. the brush wheels 62 and 64, and with the burnishers 66 and 68 having the peripheral working surfaces thereof beveled at an inward inclination toward the respective brush wheels 62 and 64 with which they are paired. Two pairs of brush wheels and burnishers are provided so that either black or brown finishing may be done with one pair or the other, suitable supply pots for coloring, dyes being fitted in the frame structure 10 as indicated at 96' (see FIG. 2),. and the dyes being applied selectively to oneor the other of the burnishers 66 or 68 in preparation for finishing in a particular color. Accordingly, one or the other of the brush Wheels 62 and 64, and paired burnisher 66 or 63, will be selected for use depending on the finish color to be obtained, and the above described arrangement of the paired burnishers 66 and 68 allows them to be used alternately without interference from the other at a much closer longitudinal spacing than is usually required.

As an additional accessory, the pulley end of the upper drive shaft 16 may be fitted with a grinding Wheel 98 at which a rest 98 may be arranged from the frame structure 10 to provide facilities for sharpening the trimming cutter elements 28 and 30 whenever they become dull. Also, the end of the upper drive shaft 16 adjacent the cutter elements 28 and 30 may be readily arranged with an axial chuck bore for mounting special finishing V operation at different speeds, said apparatus comprising a composite drive shaft carrying said finishing elements thereon in spaced relation lengthwise thereof for sequential use; said drive shaft having an axial component extending throughout the length thereof and a concentric sleeve component mounted for rotation; at a lengthwise portion of said axial component, thefinishing elements requiring different operatingspeeds being carried respectively on saidaxial' and concentric sleeve components, the axial component extending from one end of said drive shaft in a first diameter and being shouldered intermediate its length to a second reduced diameter, for the remainder of its length, the concentric sleeve component having an exterior diameter equal to the first diameter of said axial component and being disposed on said axial component contiguously in relation to the intermediate shoulder of said axial component, and both of said drive shaft components being rotated by means fittedthereon adjacent the reduced diameter end of said axial component.

2. Shoe finishing apparatus of the character described incorporating rotary'trimming and finishing elements arranged for use in shoe repairing operations, said apparatus comprising a frame structure, a drive motor mounted on said frame structure, an upper trimming element shaft and a lower finishing element shaft journaled liorizontally on said frame structure in parallel spaced relation, said upper shaft carrying trimming elements adjacent one end thereof and said lower shaft carrying coarse finishing element's adjacent the corresponding end said lower shaft for difierential rotation, and said drive motor being connected byra first means for rotating said uppershaft and said concentric sleeve and by a second means for rotating said lower shaft allat different speeds.

3. In shoe finishing apparatus of the character described, an assembly of rotary trimming cutter element's comprising a drive shaft having an end portion shouldered to a reduced. diameter end portion from. a main body portion, a first cutter element disposed on said shaft end portion in abutting relation at said shaft shoulder, a

rotary cutter guard disposed on said shaft end portion in abutting relation with said first cutter element, a sleeve.

member disposed on said shaft end portion. in. abutting relation with said cutter guard, a second cutter element.

disposed on. said shaft: end portion. in abutting relation.

at the adjacent end of said sleeve member, means on said.

shaft end portion clamping said abutting. second. cutter element, said sleeve member, said rotary cutter! guard,

and first cutter element against said shaft shoulder to rotate with said shaft, and first and second edge set elements disposed respectively on said shaft main body portion and said sleeve member and fixed to rotate with said shaft while remaining longitudinally adjustable thereon for disposition in shrouding relation respectively at said first and second cutter elements to determine the ex-' posed cutting widths thereof.

4. In shoe finishing apparatus of the character described, an .assembly as defined in claim 3 and further characterized in that said shaft end portion is threaded adjacent the end thereof remote from said shaft shoulder, in that said clamping means is formed by a nut disposed on the threaded extent of said shaft end portion, and in that a stationary cutter guard is removably supported at a disposition clearing said nut concentrically and guarding the adjacent side edge of said second cutter element.

5. In shoe finishing apparatus of the character described, an assembly of rotary finishing elements for final finishing action, said assembly comprising .a drive shaft, a first brush element and a burnishing element paired therewith mounted on said drive shaft in side by side relation, and a second brush element and a burnishing element paired therewith mounted on said drive shaft in side by side relation and in spaced longitudinal relation with respect to said first brush element and paired burnishing element, the paired burnishing elements being disposed at adjacent sides of said first and second brush elements and having the peripheral Working surfaces thereof beveled at an inward inclination toward the respective brush elements with which they are paired.

6. In shoe finishing apparatus of the character described, an assembly of rotary finishingelements, some of which perform a coarse finishing action and others a final finishing action, and which coarse and final finishing actions require respective operation of said elements at different speeds, said assembly comprising a composite drive shaft, said drive shaft having an axial component extending throughout the length thereof and a concentric sleeve component mounted for rotation at a lengthwise portion of said axial component, said coarse finishing elements being mounted on one of said shaft components and said final finishing elements on the other shaft component in spaced relation lengthwise of said composite shaft for sequential use, means for rotating the respective shaft components at the different operating speeds required by the finishing elements mounted thereon, said final finishing elements including a first brush element and a burnishing element paired therewith mounted on said drive shaft in side by side relation, and a second brush element and a burnishing element paired therewith mounted on said drive shaft in side by side relation and in spaced longitudinal relation with respect to said first brush element and paired burnishing element, the paired burnishing elements being disposed at adjacent sides of said first and second brush elements and having the peripheral Working surfaces thereof beveled at an inward inclination toward the respective brush elements with which they are paired.

7. Shoe finishing apparatus of the character described incorporating rotary trimming and finishing elements arranged for use in shoe repairing operations, said apparatus comprising a frame structure, a drive motor mounted on said frame structure, a trimming element shaft carrying trimming elements thereon, means connecting said drive motor to said trimming element shaft for driving rotation thereof, a finishing element shaft journaled on said frame structure in parallel spaced relation to said trimming element shaft and carrying a group of final finishing elements adjacent one end and a coarse finishing element at the other end, said final finishing elements being mounted on a concentric sleeve disposed on said finishing element shaft for differential rotation, means connecting said drive motor to said finishing element shaft for driving rotation thereof, and means connecting said drive motor to said concentric sleeve for rotation thereof at a speed different from the speed of rotation of said finishing element shaft.

8. Shoe finishing apparatus as defined in claim 7 and further characterized in that said trimming elements are located adjacent said coarse finishing element, said frame structure incorporates suction duct work arranged to impose a particle collection draft adjacent said trimming elements and said coarse finishing element, and a blower unit is fitted in said duct work and is connected for driving from said drive motor to create said collection draft during operation of said apparatus.

9. Shoe finishing apparatus as defined in claim 7 and further characterized in that said trimming elements are carried adjacent one end of the trimming element shaft, said one end is of reduced diameter with respect to the main body of said shaft, in that said reduced diameter extends uniformly from said end to a shoulder spaced from said end and said reduced diameter extent of said shaft is threaded adjacent said end in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said shaft, in that a first edge set element is mounted on the main body of said shaft adjacent said shoulder and is fixed to rotate with said shaft while remaining longitudinally adjustable thereon, said first edge set element projecting toward said shaft end beyond said shoulder and having a circular clearance recess in the projecting portion thereof in which the smallest recess diameter is at least equal to the diameter of the main body of said shaft, in that a first trimming cutter element is slidably mounted on the reduced diameter extent of said shaft and is nested in the clearance recess of said first edge set element with a hub flange portion of said first cutter element abutted at said shaft shoulder, in that a rotary cutter guard is slidably mounted on said reduced diameter extent of said shaft in abutting relation With said first cutter element, in that a sleeve member having an elongated slot therein is slidably mounted on the reduced diameter extent of said shaft in abutting relation with said rotary cutter guard, in that a second edge set element is mounted over said sleeve member and fixed through said elongated slot to rotate with said shaft while remaining longitudinally adjustable thereof, said second edge set element projecting toward said shaft end beyond said sleeve member and having a circular clearance recess in the projecting portion thereof in which the smallest recess diameter is at least equal to the exterior diameter of said sleeve member, in that a second trimming cutter element is slidably mounted on the reduced diameter extent of said shaft and is nested in the clearance recess of said second edge set element with a hub flange portion of said second cutter element abutted at the adjacent end of said sleeve member, and in that a nut element is disposed on the threaded end portion of said shaft and tightened to lock said second cutter element, said sleeve member, said rotary cutter guard, and said first cutter element all against said shoulder to rotate with said shaft.

10. Shoe finishing apparatus as defined in claim 7 and further characterized in that said final finishing elements comprise a first brush element and a burnishing element paired therewith, and a second brush element and a burnishing element paired therewith, the paired burnishing elements being disposed at adjacent sides of said first and second brush elements and having the peripheral working surfaces thereof beveled at an inward inclination toward the respective brush elements with which they are paired.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 950,30 1 Pease Feb. 22, 1910 966,471 Plant Aug. 9, 1910 2,475,925 Tavantzis July 12, 1949 

